Editor, Times-Union: Allow me to save you a lot of money and pain. As you may know or not know, states and cities have spent way too much money in good times not saving for the bad times. So guess what? States and cities start scrambling to raise more money to keep operating. First target is usually property taxes on home owners. Next it uses law enforcement to boost revenue. In California for example seat belt violations went from $25 to $200 in a short time, along with raising of all fines by leaps and bounds. Working class people need to abide by a few self protection rules. You don’t have the money to pay extortion fines. 1. When approached by any agent of the state or federal government do not answer any questions but your name, address and phone number. You may stand mute, or simply say you will have to speak to your lawyer. Most people do not listen to this advice and pay the price for it. 2. If you are asked if its ok to search your car say no. If their is nothing illegal in plain sight police may not search your car. 3.If agents come to your home the same applies. Do not talk. Do not answer questions. Do not allow law enforcement or any government agent entry to your home without a warrant. If you are asked to go anywhere, ask, “Are you placing me under arrest?” If the agent says no, then do not go with them. If you get a phone call asking you to come to an office like police headquarters say no. The law operates through fear. They know that when you are afraid you are easily manipulated into giving information that is detrimental to you. Fear of going to jail or prison is the most popular scare tactic. Do not try to talk your way out of the situation. In most cases your most important protection is not to answer ANY questions even if you are threatened. If you follow this advice you will save hundreds of dollars in attorneys fees. At some point you may need an attorney.Do not hire a local attorney. They are prone to in the good old boys circle. Do not hire an attorney that cannot produce a history of going to actual trial.Most attorney’s try to get you to plea bargain even though national studies show the the accused in most cases does not really better himself by plea bargaining. Many attorney’s are lazy. You need a junk yard dog attorney, not the D.A.’s sweetheart.Paste this on the dashboard of your car and memorize it. Tom Metzger Warsaw, via e-mail
